Describes the development of the grant-funded Oregon School Library Information System (OSLIS), a project design to provide cost-effective access to online resources in school libraries across the state. Notes that online database provides offer substantial discounts for group acquisition of their products which has prompted the development of…

The incorporation of technology into library processes has tremendously impacted staff and users alike. The University of North Texas (UNT) Libraries is no exception. Sixteen years of reference statistics are analyzed to examine the relationships between the implementation of CD-ROMs and web-based resources and the number of reference questions.…

The information highway is an exciting place for children and families to visit, explore, and learn together. This book teaches parents basic knowledge about the Information Highway and how to use it with children. The following topics are covered in this book: (1) What is the Information Highway? (2) What is Telecommunications?; (3) Why You &…

This paper discusses a vision of the transformation of the library from a repository of printed material to a digital library serving as a complete information center where distant learners can obtain support for their educational aspirations. Future information centers will be distant learner-centered. Factors discussed include: (1) distance…

During 1993-94 the University Libraries of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, began formal needs assessment to collect data that reflect the information needs of university students, faculty, and staff. The program was implemented by a Needs Assessment Coordinating Group, an assessment consultant, and staff members. Data from the…

As more academic institutions spend larger sums of money to network their campuses and provide network connections to sources outside their campuses, questions emerge concerning the selection and configuration of appropriate network technologies and the appropriate types and levels of services to provide. Increasingly, academic administrators are…

MOO stands for "Multi-user domain, Object-Oriented." Early multi-user domains, or "MUDs," began as net-based dungeons-and-dragons type games, but MOOs have evolved from these origins to become some of cyberspace's most fascinating and engaging online communities. MOOs are social environments in a text-based virtual reality…

This educator-oriented handbook by "Virtual Dave" provides an easy-to-read, easy-to-understand guide to the Internet: what it is; how it works; and how one gets there. The book covers the basics of the Internet, with simple and concise explanations geared toward classroom teachers and school library media specialists. Each chapter…

Constructivist teaching has become a dominant theme in educational literature in response to the positivist model of education that is prevalent in schools. In order for K-12 education to become more constructivist, there must be a qualitative change in teaching practice from didactic to self-directed student learning. The use of online technology…

This book distinguishes between the "must-haves" and the "nice-to-haves" for both Macintosh and Windows platforms and recommends 298 "bargains" in children's shareware, freeware, and Web resources. The book is divided into two sections: The first section presents bargain-hunting strategies (chapters 1-5), and the…

This paper summarizes and extends an earlier study that reviewed the literature on technology effectiveness, focusing on computers, traditional distance education, two-way interactive telecommunications, multimedia, and the Internet. It also adds some tools for technology evaluation as well as a rationale for using regions to distribute…

This project examined the impact of the University of Texas Health Science Center's Circuit Library Health Information Network (CLHIN) on availability and usage of medical information to health professionals and the effect of the promotion of online services, GRATEFUL MED and MEDLINE (flat rate). The project included a survey of physicians,…

This guide was developed specifically for educational administrators at the building, campus, district, system, and state levels, and is meant to serve as a framework to help them better understand why and how to effectively secure their organization's information, software, and computer and networking equipment. This document is organized into 10…

This paper reports challenges of and suggestions for conducting online courses, focusing on the following areas: (1) instructional format, including transferring classroom activities to online activities without affecting students' concentration, motivation, thought, mastery, and comprehension; (2) methods of instruction, including developing an…

Recently, Internet resources for the K-12 community have been appearing all over the United States. This digest lists various information resources available to K-12 educators over the Internet. Topics covered include: guides to Internet resources; lesson plans; keypals and penpals; acceptable use policies; technology plans for K-12 schools;…